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Mats Hummels: 'We must keep the ball against Real Madrid'

Hummels: 'Possession key against Madrid'
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Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels believes that retaining the ball will be key against Real Madrid.

Mats Hummels has insisted that long spells of possession will be vital if Borussia Dortmund are to beat Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

The German club were unbeaten in the two matches against Madrid in the group stage, beating Jose Mourinho's side 2-1 and recording a 2-2 draw in the Spanish capital.

Hummels believes that his team must keep the ball well if they are to reach the final at Wembley.

"Ball possession will be a key factor against Real Madrid," the defender told FIFA.com.

"I remember our match at the Santiago Bernabeu during the group stage. In the second half we did not have the ball for longer than 10 seconds before we lost it again, and then it is really difficult against them."

The first leg of the tie takes place on Wednesday evening.

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Bayer Leverkusen player Daniel Carvajal (right) challenges for the ball with Bayern Munich player Xherdan Shaqiri during their sides match on October 28, 2012
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2Barcelona31217362342870
3GironaGirona31205663392465
4Atletico MadridAtletico31194859362361
5Athletic Bilbao321610652302258
6Real Sociedad311311745331250
7Valencia31138103432247
8Real BetisBetis31111283837145
9Villarreal31109124954-539
10Getafe31912103743-639
11Osasuna31116143644-839
12Las PalmasLas Palmas31107142935-637
13Sevilla31810133944-534
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15Mallorca31613122536-1131
16Rayo Vallecano31613122538-1331
17Celta Vigo31610153346-1328
18CadizCadiz31413142141-2025
19Granada3239203361-2818
20Almeria31111193062-3214


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